Marrara Christian College visited by Google for coding and robotics workshop

A TEAM from Google has paid a visit to Marrara Christian College showing students the basics of computer coding to control robots.

A TEAM from Google has paid a visit to Marrara Christian College, showing students the basics of computer coding and commanding a robot.

The Google Experience day for Year 5 and 6 students was the first of five across Australia, and Marrara Christian College was selected by Darwin educator Karen Pfister.

“Out of 25 teachers and trainers being funded by Google for training, they named five of us (including myself) as exemplary, which blew me away,” she said.

“I could choose the school I wanted for Google to visit and I had last worked in classrooms here.”

Zachariah Hedrington-Knight and Caleb Schatz watch their robot spin out.

The day centred on students working with Lego robotics, programming instructions in small machines using simple coding to make them travel in a U-shaped path.

RADICAL OVERHAUL FOR INDIGENOUS EDUCATION

Ms Pfister said learning about coding and programming was part of a greater push to get students learning about technology.

“Digital technology is implemented in the Australian Curriculum until Year 10, but we really want to see younger students understand how technology is a daily part of what we do,” she said.

“It’s not about just using iPads for half an hour, or replacing paper and pencil, but using technology to do things that aren’t possible without it.

“Today, the kids are using estimations, thinking about angles and fixing errors — it’s problem solving.”

Google Australia/NZ Engineering Director Alan Noble said the Marrara students could very easily be pioneers of technology’s next generation.

“Google started with a couple of students in a garage ... the Googles of tomorrow could come from some of today’s students,” he said.

“You can sense their excitement in here; you can learn on a whiteboard but it’s abstract — putting ideas in practice is more fun.”